Beth Brown -Reinsel Workshop

Fiber Experiences hosted a great workshop with Beth Brown-Reinsel on Aug 2 and 3. The Saturday workshop was Ganseys. These are the sweaters worn by the Scotish fishermen. Construction details include the channel isle cast on, armhole gussets, and patterning on the up part of the body. Plain knitting was tucked into waders. Miniature sweaters were made by the students so they could work through all the details.

Sunday was devoted to the Swedish technique of Twined Knitting. Students constructed a miniature mitten. This technique produces a very dense fabric as both ends of the yarn ball are used alternately. Black Water Abbey was a great yarn choice for both projects.

Beth is modeling her newest Nordic sweater design. She did a fabulous job working with the students. We enjoyed using the Textile Arts Center at Tamarac Square for the workshops.

Yes, it has been awhile and I am getting ready to head to Chicago in the morning for Stitches Midwest. I am going early to spend time with a dear friend. We have some fiber experiences planned.

To catch up:

The Mitered T from Knitters Spring 07 is complete in the colorway Latte

Also complete is a barn-raising square in Happy Feet - red - as requested by Sheep In the City for her Dad's blanket.

Currently on the needles:

Socks in Regia

Lacey Spring scarf for DD in Jojoland purchased on our NYC trip in the Spring

Felted Clogs for a friend

Log Cabin Afghan

Hibernating:

Jazz , Modern Quilt Wrap, Color on Color Scarf -these should come back out on Labor Day for fall knitting!

I look forward to seeing folks at the BlackWaterAbbey booth at Stitches Midwest. Come by and see a brand new design by Beth Brown-Reinsel.

On the Needles

Just a recap of what is on the needles :
1. Mitered T-shirt from Knitters Spring 2007 in Ty-Dy Cotton, colorway is Latte. This is the back. I will be taking it on vacation to work on as it is mindless.

2. Log Cabin in Rowan Cotton Glace. I bought this for something else but I just loved the cotton log cabin Karlene worked on in the car to and from Indiana last month. I thought I would like one too.

3. On the right, 2 Texas Longhorn dish cloths for my friend Carolyn who I will be meeting in Montreal on Tuesday for a nice tour to points north.

4. A felted slipper, purple, for a friend who really wanted such.

Also I am working on a barnraising square for Stacey and closing up the toes on a few socks.

Maybe I can finish the T-shirt on the trip. I also have a sock and the barnraising coming with me. Besides the long flight, layover in Cleveland, we also have a 2 day train ride and a fair amount of bus travel. This should translate to alot of knitting time.

I will report back in a couple weeks.

HIgh Fiber Experience

Way up high, over Machu Picchu , DD found this friendly, fantastic, fiberlicious guy. I just think it is the most fantastic picture and wanted to share.

On the home front, here is Heartbeat from Just One More Row. I completed it in Cotton Twist from Berroco. It is a touch snug so I have to wait to wear it but it turned out quite nicely.

Sock Convention 2008

I returned from the Circular Sock Machine Society of America (CSMSA) last Sunday. I have been catching up since then. I did finish Heartbeat which was one of my June goals. I will photo it after it dries.

The sock convention was tons of fun. A long drive to Nashville, IN from here but my companions, the blogless Barb and Karlene, were delightful and the time went by easily.

There were over 100 sock knitters

Delghtful door prizes - this is a handmade amulet bag. I love it. I started one once and gave up after about an hour - something about me and beads not getting along!

I did make 3 pairs of socks but have not closed the toes yet and one really needs a redo. Stay tuned on those. The machine and the operator (me ) are getting along much better and should be more productive in the future. Next year the group will meet in Lacey, WA outside of Seattle. That will be a lovely area.

Enroute we stopped at the Yarn Barn in Lawrence and at Hillcreek Yarns in Columbia, MO. I picked up a little sock yarn there and at the convention itself. The only class I took was making Sock Monkeys. I look forward to trying these.

Catching Up

Yes, it's been awhile...and I am getting ready to leave town again so I will catch up. I finished this

Blue Ribbon Wrap from Knitalong by Larica Brown using stash yarn. It was fun and quick.

Here is my version, and the one from the book.

Looks better on a person than a chair!

Also done are the swap socks where Marly made one and I made the mate. Done, Done, Done. This is a garter rib cuff, top down, in Shi Bui. Wonderful yarn. Marly made sock 1 on a 2, I did sock 2 on a 0 and still had a looser fabric! They look like a pair and that's what counts.

I did finish a barn raising square in JoJoland Melody but did not photo.

Undone remains Heartbeat with a sleeve and neckline finishing to go. I should still make it by month end but I am not taking it as it is now one huge piece and takes up too much room.

I am off to the Circular Sock Machine 2008 convention, driving with the blogless Karlene and Barb from Colorado Springs. Our machines are tuned and ready for the trip. This is being held in Nashville, IN, about an hour or so from Indianapolis. Maybe I will have some socks to post upon my return.

Where the air is rare

DD sent me this photo last night

The Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru. Quite awesome thought I. She will be returning Thursday morning and this complete birthday gift is ready for her

This is Lucia from the Debbie Bliss Rialto book. Made with Rialto purchased at Knit Knack in Arvada last winter. This is all 1 x1 rib so slow going. Maybe she will model it for us someday.

During the Red Rocks Fiber Works blog sale, I picked up some nice colors

Left to right we have Iris Sings, Sheep in the City, and Drink Me. All just yummy!

I will join Nachaele and Purple Princess in committing to finishing up 2 projects this month:
1. Heartbeat by Just One More Row - the back is done, front about 1/2

2. The Marly swap sock - almost done with the cuff

I will also make at least one Barn Raising square (one is 1/2 done)

Focus, Focus, Focus. Stay tuned and see what distracted me for the past week from the Knitalong book.

Beth Brown-Reinsel Workshops

I wil be hosting Beth Brown-Reinsel for 2 workshops in August.


Saturday, August 2 will be Gansey Techniques where we will make this small scale Gansey








Sunday, August 3 will be the Textured Twined Mitten where we will make this small scale mitten.








Both will be held at TACtile, in Tamarac Square, Denver. Each workshop is $125 and will run from 9-5 with a lunch break.





You may email me at jppearce1ATmsnDOTcom for more information or to register.

Space is going quickly. Workshops are limited to 20 students.